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I wanted to update here for those that remember Joey and his battle with Histiocytosis. Due to the LCH Joey was on high dose steroids for almost 4 years. This weakened his bones.

Last night, Joey was riding his 12" bike with training wheels and fell off. The fall caused a compound fracture in his femur. He will be heading to surgery sometime within the next 6 hours to put a pin in the bone. Once pain is manageable he will go home in a spica cast and wheelchair.

One thing they're struggling with is he doesn't understand. To Joey, being in the hospital means chemo and being really sick. He keeps begging Traci to go home saying "No chemo Mommy." He sees the IV bag and the morphine and can't understand/believe that it is not chemo.

I will update throughout the day as he goes to and comes out of surgery.
UPDATE 11:30am EST:
The surgery has been pushed back until tonight at 6pm. During surgery they will put in one pin. After surgery his leg will be kept in traction at 90` for about two weeks. At that point, Joey will head back into the OR for a second surgery. (I forgot to ask what would be done during the second surgery, sorry folks!) That is when the spica cast will be put on. The doctors are saying he'll be in the cast for approximately two months.

At this point, the doctor does not think this is a relapse, but knows to biopsy if he sees anything suspicious while in surgery. This is the best surgeon the hospital has AND he is familiar with histio.

UPDATE 9:30pm EST:
Joey is in the OR now. Surgery will take 1-2 hours.

UPDATE 11:30pm EST:Joey is out of surgery and is in recovery. Surgery went well. He is in traction and will have xrays every couple days. Once they start showing healing, he will be able to come out of traction. The goal is two weeks. He could come out of traction sooner or later. It just depends on his body.

UPDATE 11:30am EST (Thursday):
Joey is doing ok today. Playful but already sick of being in the hospital. He keeps asking "When I will get out of here?" Traci's been telling him, "As soon as we can leave without your leg hurting super bad."

It was a delight to talk to him this morning on the phone. He seemed in decent spirits for the moment.

Once again, I hate that I'm so far away. I want to be there with him (or even just help with Mel and David). I guess I'll have to settle for phone calls though.

UPDATE 1PM:Yesterday his hgb was 10.4, wbc 8.8 and platelets 363. Considering femural breaks cause heavy bleeding inside the leg, this is VERY good! A grown man can loose over a pint of blood just from breaking his femur. Joey appears to have minimal loss... meaning 2 things: 1) he didn't bleed too much, and 2) his body is working to replace what little he did lose.

Mama Bear had to roar a bit this morning. The nurse came in to do daily labs. This of course, means needle sticks daily since Joey no longer has a port. Before allowing the lab work, Traci asked to speak to the doctor about why they were being done. Turns out, the labs aren't necessary so they will not be done.

On top of the unneeded labs, no one brought him breakfast. The doctor forgot to lift the npo orders. So Mama Bear scored him some food.

UPDATE 7PM:Today's xrays show a perfectly aligned bone. Now it just needs to start healing. Once it starts fusing together, then we can go to the spica. No adjustments needed today so this is excellent news. He is no longer on continuous iv fluids, only as needed meds. All his pain meds have worn off, but he says hes not hurting and isn't wanting meds.

UPDATE 9AM (Friday):These updates are from Traci's Facebook page. It's only 6am there so I am not calling her for more details right now. Once I talk to her, I will update if needed.

About 6 hours ago there was some debate over what medication to give him for some spasms. At first, Traci was told he would receive Valium. But then when the time came, they tried to give Ativan because Valium is on nationwide shortage. Ativan causes hyperactivity. I'm sure you can imagine a four year old that can't move on medication that makes him hyperactive. Not a good idea! So, for now, they have skipped it.

Two hours ago, Traci shared that Joey was hurting. She said his pain comes on fast and strong. So strong, that they skipped Loritab and went straight to morphine.

At the time of her last post (4am her time), he was playing a video game and she was going to sleep. He knows how to wake her or call the nurse if he needs to... and she was understandably exhausted.

__________________

Thanks to Jaidynsmum for my siggy!

Proud former foster parent to a teen. Waiting on our next call. Proud Aunt to 22.

Oh no! I lurked in here for a long time before I started posting and I think I remember reading about this family. Poor Joey! I'm praying that the Lord will bless him with courage and heal him quickly! *HUGS* to him and his family.

__________________Audrey~Daughter of the Most High King
~Wife to my Best Friend
~Mother of Miracles

I'm so glad his labs were so good yesterday, and go Traci for sticking up for him today!! With all he has been through Joey doesn't need to be stuck any more than necessary. I will continue to pray for them.